With the Dodgers plagued by injuries this season, infielder Oscar Robles has finally gotten a chance to play in the big leagues. In 38 games, the Mexican-native is hitting .357/.407/.405 for a very respectable .277 Equivalent Average. But his performance on the field is secondary to his saga off of it, as Jose De Jesus Ortiz recently explained in the Houston Chronicle.

About five minutes before [his mother] died [in 1997], Oscar thanked her for being such a supportive mother and baseball fan.

“I promised her that because of her support and love of baseball, I would play in the big leagues one day,” he said. “She couldn’t say anything. All she did was roll a tear down her cheek. She died a few minutes later.” …

On May 9, the Dodgers designated Norihiro Nakamura for assignment and announced the purchase of Robles’ contract. The next day, one of the most significant in Mexico, Robles made his debut at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mexico always celebrates Mother’s Day on May 10, and Robles listened to The Star-Spangled Banner with a knot in his stomach while praying and thanking his mother.

“I can’t really explain to you what I felt to know that my first game in the big leagues was Mother’s Day in Mexico,” he said. “All I can tell you is that God is grand. He knew I promised something to my mother before she went to rest. I see it as a miracle that I made my debut on May 10.

“Each day during the national anthem, I try to give her a message. I tell her that because of her and God I’m here in the majors. On May 10, I told her that was her gift.”

How can you not root for Oscar Robles?